Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) will expand its China R&D operations by adding facilities in central and western China, according to a Reuters story. The company will build a new clinical R&D center in Wuhan, which will support global clinical drug programs, including Phase I-IV clinical trials. Pfizer did not announce the size of capital commitment to the new R&D center.

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) will expand its China R&D operations by adding facilities in central and western China, according to a Reuters story. The company will build a new clinical R&D center in Wuhan, which will support global clinical drug programs, including Phase I-IV clinical trials. Pfizer did not announce the size of capital commitment to the new R&D center.

Earlier this month, Pfizer announced it would close six of its 20 R&D centers around the world in the wake of its takeover of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. At the time, we noted the company considered its Shanghai facility to be important enough to shield it from any cutbacks. Now it seems that the company is actually increasing its commitment to performing R&D work in China.

The Wuhan center, which expects to employ 200 people within three years, will also develop research collaborations with local companies.

Pfizer’s Shanghai R&D facility will remain the operations hub for Pfizer’s China R&D activities. The Shanghai center started operations with 14 employees in 2005, a number that grew to 342 by this past summer.

The Wuhan center will be a joint effort between Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. and its China partner Wuhan National Bioindustry Base Construction and Management Office